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Dorchester County approves asphalt plant sale, opioid-abatement plan and several administrative agreements
Summary
At its Jan. 21 meeting the council approved sale of the county asphalt plant for $300,000, allocated $336,945.30 in opioid restitution funds to expand medication‑assisted treatment in the county detention center, and approved a sole‑source pool contract and several routine leases and permits.
Dorchester County’s Council approved a series of administrative and program actions on Jan. 21, 2025, including the sale of a county-owned asphalt plant, allocation of opioid restitution funds for treatment services in the detention center, and multiple contracts and permits.
Property disposition: The Council held a public hearing on the sale of the county’s asphalt plant at 3960 Red Hill Road, Linkwood, to Russell Paving Co. Inc. for $300,000 with in‑house financing over a 20‑year term at 5 percent. No public comments were offered; the sale was approved by roll call (Pfeffer—aye; Detmer—aye; Nichols—aye; Travers—aye; Kramer—absent).
Opioid restitution fund: The Council approved a local abatement plan allocating Dorchester County’s share of Maryland’s Opioid Restitution Fund—$336,945.30—toward providing comprehensive medication‑assisted treatment (MAT) within the county detention center. The plan passed 4–0 (Kramer absent) on a motion by Councilman Travers and second by Councilman Detmer. Donald Hall, Director of Behavioral Health Service, thanked the Council for the approval during public comments.
Contracts, permits and programs: The Council approved updates to the FY2025 Program Open Space Annual Program to include the 2027 Land Preservation Parks & Recreation Plan and Thendara 4‑H Center as eligible uses of remaining funds, and agreed to a lease with the Maryland 4‑H Club Foundation, Inc. for the Thendara 4‑H Center (5275 Lords Crossing Road, Hurlock). Recreation & Parks Director Duc Trieu requested and the Council approved a sole‑source contract with Coastline Pool Services to operate and maintain the county pool from June 14–Dec. 31, 2025 for $145,248, funded from the FY25 swimming pool budget; Trieu said the vendor was the only bidder when the county advertised in 2022.
The Council also approved an event request from the Boy Scouts’ Del‑Mar‑Va Council to hold a Cubmobile Derby on April 6, 2025, using county grounds subject to a city street‑closure approval and proof of insurance. The Council confirmed by interim poll a decision to delay increasing the county liquor license fee until reintroduction of a bill in 2026.
Budget outlook: County Manager Jerry Jones and council members flagged concerns about the State of Maryland’s proposed budget, estimating the county needs roughly $3.5 million in new revenue to balance its books; the minutes record council concern about state education funding and potential increases in county costs for the Department of Assessments and Taxation.
The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
